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In 2014, the Newhouse School at Syracuse University celebrated the opening of the Newhouse Studio and Innovation Center, part of an $18 million renovation of Newhouse 2. The space provides the school with a cutting-edge media facility that gives students the best possible preparation for careers in the communications industry. Special guest Oprah Winfrey spoke at the dedication event, held in September 2014.

One of the most visually striking features of the renovated building is the two-story entry lobby, located at the corner of University and Waverly avenues, which includes a double-height, dramatic glass curtain wall allowing for a sweeping view from the outside. This replaces the “fortress” construction of the original Newhouse 2, which was built in 1974.

Inside the complex, major highlights include:

Dick Clark Studios

Dick Clark Studios

Named for legendary entertainer and SU alumnus Dick Clark ’51, the studios are the “show-stopper” for prospective students: a high-tech entertainment production environment that rivals many Hollywood studios. Features include:

Full soundstage suitable for live or digitally recorded productions

Full digital workflow integrating studio and post production facilities

High-definition production capability throughout the studios and control rooms, with the ability to shoot film-style 3-D production

Newhouse students use the interactive wall in the Alan Gerry Center for Media Innovation.

Alan Gerry Center for Media Innovation

The Alan Gerry Center for Media Innovation is the creative hub where Newhouse expertise in content development and production meets the latest media technology and programming trends. The center is named for the founder of Cablevision Industries.

While the studios are focused primarily on production of “traditional” programming formatted for TV viewing, the Gerry Center facilitates the development of content for next-generation “screens” and distribution platforms—YouTube, iOS and Android phones and tablets, Apple TV—and for entirely new devices—virtual reality headsets, fiber optic networks, mobile applications and even “smart appliances.” Collaborations with industry partners seek to create products and programs that have value in the marketplace.

The Diane and Bob Miron Digital News Center.

Diane and Bob Miron Digital News Center

The Diane and Bob Miron Digital News Center is dedicated primarily to news, talk and magazine-style production, with multimedia capabilities and a file-based digital media environment. It houses a contemporary news set, a green screen, state-of-the-art lighting systems and cameras. An additional set is available for cable-style host/interview or “talk show” formats, and a control room with space for observers rounds out the teaching environment. Paperless workflow follows that of a professional network operation.

The Digital News Center also serves the greater university community as a go-to studio for external productions. A fully-produced, 30-minute, broadcast-quality show can be originated live from this facility, including real-time segments originating from other studios or remotes and packages that are played back from the video server.

The Newhouse 2 renovation doubled studio teaching space to the benefit all Newhouse majors. Courses taught in the facility can include 3-D Production Workshop; Sports Directing Seminar; Producing the Fashion Video; and Human-Computer Interaction, among others. Other possible areas include commercial photography for advertising; green screen photography for virtual reality and multimedia; and news conferences and satellite tours for public relations.

The Diane and Bob Miron Digital News Center was named for the retired chairman and CEO of Advance/Newhouse Communications and his wife.

Take a virtual tour of the Newhouse Studio and Innovation Center, using Google Glass, courtesy of The NewsHouse: